This update uses ocean container shipping data and intelligence from Xeneta and eeSea.
Insight from Peter Sand, Xeneta Chief Analyst:
Far East to US
"The backdrop is still one of oversupply compared to demand and that is seen clearly in the fact rates are still not back to where they were a month ago despite a fairly chunky increase in the past week.
"Shippers should reflect on this weaker market the next time a carrier asks for a general rate increase (GRI), because it would not appear to be justified against the level of demand versus capacity."
Far East to Europe
"Far East to North Europe currently shows both demand and supply strength - carriers are adding capacity and rates are still edging up rather than softening.
"Spot rate increases are even stronger from Far East to Mediterranean, with sustained double-digit growth over the past month, but this is fueled by reducing capacity on this trade.
"While the data suggests a stronger market from Far East to Europe, you cannot ignore developments in the Red Sea, particularly the recent announcements of some ships transiting the Suez Canal again. This shows carriers are warming up for a return to the region, but there are a number of steps to go through before this happens at a largescale and transits remain at low numbers compared to before the Red Sea crisis escalated."
Data highlights
o Market average spot rates – 4 December 2025:
• Far East to US West Coast: USD 2051 per FEU (40ft container)
• Far East to US East Coast: USD 2843 per FEU
• Far East to North Europe: USD 2418 per FEU
• Far East to Mediterranean: USD 3314 per FEU
• North Europe to US East Coast: USD 1585 per FEU
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